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Abstract

This paper searches and explores the next steps for the space education and space industry in Bulgaria. The reason is simple - it is time to move away from the monopolies of a few huge companies and open up opportunities for new players. It is certainly plausible that newly created SMEs could create radically new solutions in the fields of space transportation, exploration, commercialization of resources and bring innovation to the sector. Through the exponential growth of technologies such as biotech, nanotech and material sciences, AI and robotics, neuroscience and medicine, the world is changing dramatically. It is time for the space sector to start moving forward with the same pace. This paper represents the author’s point of view of the space sector from a different perspective. The document does not give a concrete plan for the development of the national space program of Bulgaria when it comes to detailed steps and proposal of concrete niches. This will require a whole new research and could be the next step of this analysis. The article aims at presenting new logic for restarting the Bulgarian national space industry. It is not detailing the exact path but rather proposing logic for developing one.

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What Happened?

A notion of secrecy surrounded the space sector in the early years of its development. Along with really ambitious goals it generated unprecedented social interest. Romantic belief of positive near-future change, based on our achievements in space was born. It inspired thousands of young people to pursue technical and engineering careers. It paved the way for new generation of scientists and explorers. The astronauts were the heroes of the day – our envoys in space. All those factors gave strong momentum to the space sector and it became a leading tech field of the global economy. Many spin-off technologies enabled the growth of the industry and improved the lives of millions.